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Play Therapy Calgary: How Children Heal Through Play

Play therapy in Calgary gives children something words often cannot: a natural way to express and work through big feelings. Rocky Mountain Psychological Services offers play therapy because, for young children, play is not just fun; it is their language. When a child is struggling with worry, change, or difficult experiences, play therapy meets them where they are.

This guide explains what play therapy is, how it helps children, and the role parents play in the process.

Why Play Therapy Works for Children

Adults talk through their problems. Children show them. A young child rarely has the words, or the abstract thinking, to explain anxiety, grief, or frustration directly. But give that same child toys, art, and a safe space, and their inner world comes out through how they play.

That is the insight behind play therapy. A trained therapist uses play as a window into what a child is experiencing and as a tool to help them process it. Through stories, figures, sand, and art, children explore feelings that would otherwise stay locked inside.

Because it honours how children are naturally wired, play therapy can be especially effective for the youngest clients. The approach is recognized by professional bodies such as the Canadian Association for Play Therapy, which supports its practice across the country.

What Happens in Play Therapy

A play therapy room is intentionally designed to invite expression. Carefully chosen toys and materials give children many ways to show what they are feeling, and the therapist follows the child’s lead rather than directing the play.

As trust builds, the therapist gently engages, reflecting feelings and helping the child make sense of experiences at a pace that feels safe. Over time, this supports emotional regulation, coping skills, and a sense of being understood.

How Play Therapy Supports a Child

Through play, a child can Which supports
Express feelings without words Emotional release and understanding
Act out and rework experiences Processing difficult events
Practice choices in a safe space Confidence and coping skills
Build trust with a caring adult A foundation for healing

Parents as Partners

Play therapy is never something that happens apart from the family. Parents and caregivers are essential partners, and therapists typically check in with them, share general themes, and offer strategies to support the child at home.

This balance matters: the therapist protects the child’s trust in the confidential space of the playroom while keeping caregivers equipped to help. Our play therapy services are built around that partnership, and for broader support our child counselling team works closely with families. You can meet the caring professionals on our team who make this work possible.

When a young child is struggling, play therapy offers a gentle, developmentally right way to help them heal and grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is play therapy for?
It is most often used with young children, roughly preschool through the early school years, because play is how children naturally express themselves. The approach is adapted to each child.

How does play therapy help children?
Children who cannot put big feelings into words can show them through play. A trained therapist uses that natural language to help children process experiences and build coping skills in a safe space.

What happens in a play therapy session?
A child is free to play with carefully chosen toys and materials while a therapist observes and gently engages, helping the child explore feelings at their own pace.

How are parents involved in play therapy?
Parents are key partners. Therapists check in with caregivers, share general themes and strategies, and help families support progress at home while protecting the child’s trust.

Start Play Therapy in Calgary

Rocky Mountain Psychological Services is located at Clennan Square, Suite 212, 110 – 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B8. Call (403) 245-5981 or email intake@rmpsychservices.com to arrange an appointment. Any fees are discussed directly with our intake team once we understand what you are looking for.

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MacKenzie Ebel

MacKenzie is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Princeton University, where she also played 4 years for the women’s ice hockey team. She recently completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. MacKenzie has worked with children, youth, and their families in a number of settings, through coaching, as a behavioural aid, and counselling through her internship placement. She is excited to continue learning about assessment administration, neurofeedback, and play therapy practices at RMPS! Currently, she is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team, as she completes her final capstone assignment and intends to join our counselling team as a Registered Provisional Psychologist.

Tammy Thomson

Tammy is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program at Yorkville University and is trained at the master’s level in art therapy as a professional art psychotherapist and member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in child development settings, children’s hospitals, and schools as an early childhood educator and elementary teacher. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Child Development Studies at the University of Guelph, Ontario and holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tammy is a member of the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association and College of Alberta Psychologists while pursuing her next goal of registration as a provisional psychologist. Tammy values a client-centered approach using play therapy and the expressive arts to support those who may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings with words. Children and families do not need any skill or prior art experience and the art studio is a safe place where children can gain a sense of independence, greater emotional regulation, and confidence through self-exploration. Expressive interventions in art therapy can treat behavioural issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, physical and developmental disabilities, and attachment difficulties. As a parent of three young children herself, Tammy understands the complexities of family life using compassion to help parents feel more confident in their role of raising a successful family.

Raquel Freitas

Raquel is an Office Administrator at RMPS. Back in Brazil, her home country, she graduated as a Psychologist and worked as a clinician for the past 5 years. Although she loved working with children and adults, she discovered a new passion: manage the administrative tasks that keep the business running. 

As someone who is passionate about learning new things and developing new skills, with the career transition also came the decision to live abroad and explore a new culture. To serve empathetically and connect with people is Raquel’s main personal and professional goal.

Emma Donnelly

Emma is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in her hometown at Brandon University, after which she moved to Calgary to earn her Master’s of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. Emma has a passion for working with children and families and has experience doing so in a number of settings, including schools, homes, early intervention programs, and within the community. She specializes in assessment, including psychoeduational, social-emotional-behavioural, and autism assessment. Emma uses a client centred approach to counselling, supported by cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as play-based and attachment-based techniques. She believes in meeting clients where they are at and prides herself in working together with her clients to achieve their goals, improve their functioning, and enjoy their daily life.

Amanda Stoner

Amanda is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Amanda earned her doctoral degree in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario in 2017, with a specialization in developmental psychology. Amanda provides formal assessment services at RMPS. 

Since 2009, Amanda has received formal training and work experience in private practice settings in conducting psycho-educational assessments for students ranging from preschool through university. Amanda is skilled at test administration, interpretation of data, and report writing for various referral questions including ADHD, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Giftedness, and Intellectual Disabilities. Amanda enjoys working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and she tries to make the testing environment feel relaxed and comfortable while maintaining integrity in testing protocol.

Denise Riewe

Denise has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences through the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Counselling with Athabasca University. She is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychological Association of Alberta. Denise has over 9 years of experience supporting children, youth and their families in both residential and community-based practices. Denise is experienced in working with high and at-risk youth, supporting children and their families with strength-based approaches. She practices from a client-center approach supported by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Theraplay, and other play and art-based modalities.

John Pynn

John is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. He completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. He brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings. He brings a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to sessions. John uses an integrated counselling approach including client-centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focussed therapy (SFT) to find the best-fit for clients. He has experience with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, anger, self-
esteem, relationships, parenting, ADHD, grief/loss, addictions, and trauma. This broad experience comes from working in schools, social service agencies, group-care, and clinical settings. He also draws from the practical experience of being a parent to two teenagers as well as a husband. Supporting and empowering clients with mental health concerns is something John genuinely enjoys. John also provides counselling for adults and holds a Gottman level 1 certification for couples therapy.

Zara Crasto

Zara is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary and her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Edmonton. 

Zara has spent over five years working alongside children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools, in-home support, residential programs, early-intervention programs, and non-profit organizations. Currently, Zara is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team. As a lifelong learner, Zara plans to go back to graduate school and eventually become a psychologist one day.

Kellie Lanktree

Kellie is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care with the University of Victoria and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology through the University of Lethbridge. Kellie has over 10 years experience supporting children and youth with developmental disorders/delays and their families. Kellie has experience working in schools, clinical settings, and within homes to provide support and therapeutic interventions. Through her time at RMPS, Kellie has also gained experience in helping individuals affected by trauma, grief/loss, separations, emotional dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. Kellie practices through developmental, attachment-based and trauma-informed lenses, and draws from a variety of play-based approaches such as Synergetic Play Therapy, Child-centered play therapy, DIR/Floortime, art-based mediums, and mindfulness-based practices. Kellie also provides Neurofeedback therapy, and is working on receiving her certification through BCIA. Kellie believes in meeting children and their families where they are at and that there is no “one size fits all” for therapy.